extraordinaire
Americanadjective
Usage
What does extraordinaire mean? Extraordinaire is an adjective that means “outstanding” or “remarkable.” It is always used after the noun it describes, as in a writer extraordinaire. Extraordinaire is most commonly used to describe a person with exceptional talent. Unlike most English adjectives, extraordinaire is used postpositively, meaning it must immediately follow the noun that it describes. Example: My grandmother makes the most delicious dishes, and my whole family considers her a chef extraordinaire.
Explanation
The informal adjective extraordinaire is a great way to describe someone who does something particularly well. You might describe your sister as a dog trainer extraordinaire, for example. If you know people who are truly outstanding at what they do, you might want to use extraordinaire when you talk about them. You could mention your neighbor, the cupcake baker extraordinaire, or your uncle who's an amateur magician extraordinaire. In either case, you're emphasizing how good they are at their particular talents. Extraordinaire is a French word that means "extraordinary, unusual, or out of the ordinary," and it's been used as a superlative in English since the 1940's.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kardashian matriarch and “momager” extraordinaire Kris Jenner has once again removed her iconic Hidden Hills, Calif., mansion from the market—after wavering over the sale.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
The author notes that Bradley loosened his taps in such a way that they projected “a little brightness,” like those of tapper extraordinaire Honi Coles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026
On Saturday came sad news that Palmerston, a black-and-white cat, once mouser to the Foreign Office and "Diplocat extraordinaire", had passed away in Bermuda where he retired in 2020.
From Barron's ● Feb. 15, 2026
Will they be thwarted again by the shot-stopper extraordinaire we saw in last week's semi-final first leg, when the giant Italian's long arms ensured Paris St-Germain escaped Emirates Stadium with a 1-0 win?
From BBC ● May 6, 2025
Of course, Joe understood immediately that this dynamite had not just fallen from heaven in order to increase the personal wealth and power of Joe Mondragon, all-around handyman and bean farmer par extraordinaire.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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